Teal MP Apologises After Linking Climate Change to NRL Player’s Death

Titmuss died following a training session on a humid day when temperatures reached 33°C.

Independent candidate Dr. Sophie Scamps talks to voters lined up outside Mona Vale Memorial Hall in the electorate of Mackellar in Sydney, Australia on May 21, 2022. James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Teal MP Sophie Scamps has been forced to apologise after being accused of linking the death of National Rugby League (NRL) player Keith Titmuss to climate change.

Scamps represents Mackellar on Sydney’s northern beaches, and will be defending a 3.3 percent margin at the federal election on May 3.

In an interview, Scamps apologised for her comments after she copped criticism for implying a link between climate change and Titmuss’s death.

“If there’s any distress or upset, that was never my intention at all,” when asked what she would say to the family on 2GB.

“Our community was heartbroken for their family, and [my] deep apologies if she is upset.”

The controversy stems from remarks made by Scamps at a Doctors for the Environment Australia event, where she suggested that “lethal humidity” may have been a contributing factor in the death of the rugby player.

Titmuss died following a training session on a humid day when temperatures reached 33°C.

“The Rugby league player died from heat stress after a training session,” Scamps said at the event. “That sort of lethal humidity is something that the medical fraternity is getting more and more concerned about.”

“Lethal humidity” refers to conditions when heat and humidity make it too hard for the human body to cool itself via sweating. It has been described as a “dire consequence of climate change” by the Lethal Humidity Global Council.

What Was the Cause of Death?

The coronial inquest determined that the death of Keith Titmuss, a Manly Sea Eagles Player, was caused by heat stroke, exacerbated by factors such as body mass and the intensity of training, not by climate change. “Lethal humidity” was not listed as a contributing factor.

Deputy State Coroner Magistrate Derek Lee’s report stated that Titmuss “developed exertional heat stroke after completing the first outdoor and indoor preseason training sessions following an extended break during the rugby league offseason.” The report did not mention lethal humidity or climate change.

Scamps Defends Her Comments

In the interview, Scamps defended her remarks, explaining that she had not mentioned Titmuss by name and that her comments were about broader concerns over rising temperatures and humidity.

She noted that medical professionals are increasingly worried about the increase in both heat and humidity.

“There is a concern from doctors all over the world that not only have we had the hottest year on record last year, the second hottest year the year before, and the last 10 hottest years have been in the last 10 years. So we have a warming climate,” she said.

Election: Scamps Faces Challenge

The teal MP won the seat of Mackellar from Liberal Jason Falinski in the 2022 federal election with the backing of Climate 200.

She is now facing a challenge from Liberal candidate James Brown at the federal election.

Brown, a former Australian army officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, recently launched his campaign with the support of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and former Prime Minister John Howard.

Brown has also held senior positions in various organisations, including Chief Executive Officer of the Space Industry Association of Australia and Chairman of Invictus Australia.

“James Brown chose to serve Australia, spending over a decade in the Army with deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Solomon Islands. As president of the RSL in NSW, he led the campaign for a Royal Commission into Veteran and Defence Suicide,” Dutton said in an Instagram post.

“Now, James is ready to represent Mackellar. As a father and first-time homeowner, he understands the pressures families face — especially with rising costs.”

If elected, Brown is promising to spend $250 million to upgrade Mona Vale Road, $1 million for an upgrade to Avalon Beach, and $4.5 million to renovate Newport Surf Lifesaving Club.